County by county news for Friday

Andrew Sutton, 48, of Kennesaw, has pleaded not guilty. In March 2010, Sutton engaged in online chats with an undercover law enforcement agent posing as a mother with two children, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Sutton asked for nude photos of the children and sent images of child porn to the agent, and during a subsequent search of Sutton’s home, police seized computers and found additional images of child pornography, prosecutors said. Bill Rankin

Cobb unemployment dips slightly

Cobb County’s unemployment rate dipped slightly to 9.4 percent in February, according to data released by the state’s labor department.

February’s figure is down from 9.6 percent in January and 10.1 percent in February 2010.

The Atlanta area and the state both had unemployment rates of 10.2 percent in February. Janel Davis

Powder Springs public works director to retire

The director of the Powder Springs Public Works Department will retire in June. City Manager Rick Eckert announced during Monday’s City Council meeting that Rodger Swaim had submitted his resignation.

Retiring June 30, Swaim has served the city for seven years, Eckert said. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Marietta hires attorney for legal challenge

A Marietta city council committee has retained Dana Maine, a partner with the Cobb law firm Freeman, Mathis & Gary, to handle a legal challenge from council member Philip Goldstein. Committee members Jim King, Van Pearlberg and Mayor Steve Tumlin decided Wednesday to hire independent counsel after Goldstein said he will sue the city if he is not allowed to build a five-story building on the Marietta Square. Tumlin said it would be awkward for city attorney Doug Haynie, who represents the council, to handle a suit from a council member. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Citizens review committee gets to work

A citizens committee in Cobb County plans to review the county’s compensation and benefits package for employees as part of its work on assessing Cobb’s spending and priorities.

During a briefing from the county’s finance director on Wednesday, some committee members were surprised to learn that 40-hour county employees can accrue 480 hours of annual leave time, which seemed liberal compared to private-sector standards, they said.

The panel organized into four subcommittees to complete work by the June 28 deadline. Members plan to meet each Wednesday as a full group Janel Davis

Masked man robs Schlotzsky’s Deli

A masked man robbed a Schlotzsky’s Deli Wednesday at 2980 Cobb Parkway in Atlanta.

The robber entered the restaurant around 10 p.m. and demanded that employees open the cash registers, according to Cobb County police. The robber had his hand in his pocket as if he had a gun. He also asked employees to open a safe in the manager’s office before fleeing with cash. Andria Simmons

GWINNETT

Gov. Deal to address GGC commencement

Gov. Nathan Deal will deliver the commencement address to graduates from Georgia Gwinnett College.

The June 2 ceremony will be held on the Lawrenceville campus.

This year’s graduates include the first group of students who have attended the college for four consecutive years.

The college opened in 2006.

About 100 students will receive diplomas, making it the college’s largest graduating class. Laura Diamond

Revised commercial assessments mailed

Gwinnett County wants residents to know that commercial property value assessment notices mailed on March 25 should be disregarded because of an error by the vendor.

Corrected notices were sent out Wednesday. Because of the error, the last day to appeal commercial assessment values will be May 23.

Commercial property owners who want to view the assessment notice before receiving it by mail should visit. http://www.gwinnettcounty.com/TRRPWeb/EntryPoint.do. Joel Anderson

Gwinnett Tech to hold plant sale

Gwinnett Technical College’s Environmental Horticulture program is hosting its 17th annual community plant sale April 20-21. The free event is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the campus greenhouse facility. On opening day, the college and Gwinnett County Public Library also will present a slate of gardening experts and authors from 10 a.m. to noon. Plants for sale include summer flowers, perennials, herbs and others. The greenhouse is adjacent to Building 600 on the Gwinnett Tech campus at 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville. Andria Simmons

County DFCS needs foster parents

Gwinnett’s Office of the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) said that it is seeking “partnership parents” for foster children. The parents would provide care for children who have been temporarily placed in foster care. The Gwinnett DFCS office is located at 446 W. Crogan Street in Lawrenceville. Information: 678-518-5000. Joel Anderson

Input asked for Roger’s Creek Park upgrade

Duluth and the National Park Service will host an open house on April 14 to present alternatives for the proposed upgrades and construction of the existing river access facility at Roger’s Bridge Park.

The meeting is scheduled to run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 3180 Bunten Road. The public is invited to attend.

Information at the open house will be used during the environmental assessment process to select a preferred alternative. Joel Anderson

Auburn readies for Armed Forces Day

The City of Auburn is accepting applications to participate in its 2011 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration May 21.

The registration deadline is May 6, and the entry fee is $20. Information: www.cityofauburn-ga.org. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Overturned conviction upheld on appeal

The federal appeals court in Atlanta has turned down a request from prosecutors for it to reconsider a decision overturning tax conspiracy convictions against a father and son who operate a drywall business in Alpharetta. Jerry Marchelletta Jr. and his father, of the Circle Group, were convicted in October 2007 of evading more than $1.5 million in income taxes. Their convictions were overturned last year when a panel of appellate judges said the Marchellettas’ trial judge did not give a necessary instruction to jurors before they began deliberations. Bill Rankin

‘Fire camp’ for sixth graders in June

The Forsyth County Fire Department in will host a “fire camp” in June for county students who will enter the sixth grade next year. The camp will teach students what it’s like to be a firefighter. The free camp is from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., from June 13-17, at Fire Department headquarters, 3520 Settingdown Road, Cumming. Deadline to apply is May 1., on fire department page of the county web site: www.forsythco.com. Information: 770-781-2180 ext.4028. Jeffry Scott

Forsyth submits wish list for roads

Forsyth County has submitted 51 proposed road projects to the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, which will then condense the list and forward it to the Georgia Department of Transportation for funding consideration if voters next year approve a 1 percent sales tax for transportation. Governments in regions across the state have drawn up similar wish lists. One of the key projects for Forsyth would be the widening of Ga. 400 north of McFarland Parkway. Jeffry Scott

Alpharetta approves sidewalk improvements

Alpharetta has approved nearly $80,000 in sidewalk improvements along Windward Parkway. The project consists of constructing 2,600 linear feet of five-foot-wide sidewalk on the south side of the roadway.

The new sidewalk will connect several segments of existing five-foot-wide sidewalk and will provide continuous sidewalk from North Point Parkway to Windward Plaza, according to Pete Sewczwicz, public works director.

Patrick Fox

Woodstock farmers market open to vendors

The Woodstock Saturday morning farmers market is open to new vendors.

This will be the third year for the successful market, which lets locals sell vegetables, home-made breads, fruit, jellies sauces and other edibles. Interested vendors can e-mail farmersmarket@oldetownewoodstock.com or ask by mail at 8588 Main Street, Woodstock, GA 30188. Christopher Quinn

Bulk recycling day in Johns Creek April 16

Johns Creek is sponsoring a Bulky Recycling Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 16 at Medlock Bridge Shopping Center, 6000 Medlock Bridge Parkway. Residents may drop off household items and furniture, including TVs, bicycles and lawn mowers, that are in good condition. Information: 770-551-7766; www.KeepJohnsCreekBeautiful.org. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Students win National Merit Scholarships

Several Atlanta public and private school seniors have earned National Achievement Scholarships. Winners are: Ashley L. Brown and Grayson Fuller, Grady High School; Gina Price, Mays High School; Robert M. Franklin and Meron Wolde-Tensae, The Westminster Schools; Arianne Kaldewey, Atlanta International School; Dorian Barnwell, Horizons School. Angela Tuck

CAU musicians host free jazz concert

Student jazz musicians from Clark Atlanta University’s Department of Music, will host a free concert at 6 p.m. tonight at the Park Street Music and Art Complex, 793 Park St.

Under the direction of James Patterson, the CAU Jazztet is an offspring ensemble of the CAU Jazz Orchestra and has performed throughout Africa, the West Indies and Europe.

The group features Frank Hayes on alto saxophone; Allan Knighton on tenor saxophone; Phillip N. Davis on piano; Maria Montgomery on acoustic bass; and Christopher Belcher and Amir Henry on drums. Ernie Suggs

State bar shows holocaust exhibition

“Lawyers Without Rights,” which tells the stories of Jewish lawyers persecuted during Hitler’s rule -- an estimated 1,000 were killed-- will be on view for the public this month at the State Bar of Georgia in downtown Atlanta. It has traveled in Europe and the United States. Exhibit hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 13-22, 104 Marietta St. Free. Contact: Sarah I. Coole, 404-527-8700; sarahc@gabar.org. Steve Visser

Garner to host food summit on Saturday

Atlanta District 2 City Councilmember Kwanza Hall and Fulton County District 6 Commissioner Joan Garner will host a Atlanta Street Food Summit on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Helene S. Mills Senior Multipurpose Facility, 515 John Wesley Dobbs Ave. After the summit, attendees are invited attend the Urban Picnic at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market, 209 Edgewood Ave. Information: 404-330-6038.Ernie Suggs

DEKALB

New name for DeKalb Technical College

Say good-bye to DeKalb Technical College and hello to Georgia Piedmont Technical College. The board over the state’s technical colleges unanimously approved the name change Thursday. The new name better reflects the college’s mission because it serves DeKalb, Rockdale, Newton and Morgan counties, officials said. Laura Diamond

Doraville to have amnesty day for tickets

Doraville’s Municipal Court has scheduled an amnesty day for people who have past due, unpaid traffic tickets. The amnesty day will from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 30 at Municipal Court 3765 Park Ave., Doraville. Fees for past due citations will be waived, but the original citation fines will be due. Information: 770-455-1001. Rich McKay

Doraville honors WWII veteran

Charles E. “Bud” Commins, 78, a retired engineer and World War II veteran, recently received a resolution from the Doraville mayor and city council, congratulating him on being named a knight of the French Legion of Honor.

The accolade came from the French Embassy and “testifies to the President of the French Republic’s high esteem,” for his accomplishments, according to a letter Commins received earlier this year. Michelle Shaw

Police Explorers take second place honors

Dunwoody Police Explorers (Post 702) won second place overall in the 2011 Explorer State Championship April 2 in Cobb County.

Explorer clubs involve boys and girls ages 14 to 21 who are interested in a law enforcement career. Dunwoody’s group was among 25 groups that competed in seven scenarios including trouble unknown, gang investigation, traffic stops, search warrants, verbal judo, obstacle course and domestic dispute. Andria Simmons

Job fair in Decatur next Wednesday

The North Metro Career Center of the Georgia Department of Labor, will sponsor a job fair from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Clairmont Presbyterian Church, 1994 Clairmont Road, in Decatur. The job fair will feature a number of companies, educational institutions, and resource agencies that can provide job assistance to veterans and others looking for work.

Applicants should bring multiple copies of their resumes and be prepared to fill out applications and interview for available jobs. Information, contact the North Metro Career Center at 404-679-5200. Michelle Shaw

Group to keep an eye on sewer upgrade

A group of DeKalb residents, known as the South River Watershed Alliance, will be able to keep a legal eye on the county’s sewer improvements. Represented by attorneys from GreenLaw, the alliance are now in a position to offer feedback as county and government regulators finalize a deal on how to fix DeKalb’s ailing sewer system.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) have filed a proposed Consent Decree in federal court which outlines a plan to clean up the DeKalb County sewer system. Michelle Shaw

SOUTHSIDE

Storm knocks out wi-fi in Hapeville for now

Due to damage from Monday night’s storm, the Hapeville wi-fi network is currently down.

Equipment was damaged at City Hall and is scheduled to be replaced this afternoon or Saturday morning.

Resident who have any questions should call the network’s service provider Brightlan at 800-956-4097 or the city’s IT Department at 404-669-2167. John Thompson for the AJC

Westlake student wins merit scholarship

Westlake High School senior Kegan A. Antone is the recipient of a $2,500 scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The award is based on academic performance, SAT scores and completion of an essay. An estimated 800 African-American high school seniors received this year’s awards, which are financed by grants from corporations and professional associations and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Westlake is located in south Fulton County. Angela Tuck

College Park offers spring-cleaning pickup

College Park residents are encouraged to purge their homes for spring cleaning. The Public Works Sanitation Division will haul away unwanted items during a resident’s regularly scheduled trash collection day. The city will pick up yard debris, broken furniture, appliances and up to eight old tires. The city will also pick up empty or partially filled cans of house paint, but residents must top off cans with kitty litter, sand or sawdust to absorb the leftover liquid. John Thompson for the AJC

Registration set for summer teen program

Registration is under way for the Henry County Parks and Recreation Department’s Summer Camp Program (ages 6-12) and Summer Teen Program (13-15). Each consists of two sessions between May 31 and July 29 at five locations around the county. Information: www.hcprd.org and click on “day camps” or call 770-288-7300. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Free health screenings in East Point Saturday

East Point’s fire department will host its annual community health fair from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the station at 2757 East Point St. The fair will offer screenings for high blood pressure, HIV, diabetes, sickle cell, cholesterol and other health issues. The fair will also feature food, entertainment and prizes. Megan Matteucci

Cancer Wellness Walk in Peachtree City Saturday

The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce is coordinating a Cancer Wellness Walk in Peachtree City on Saturday. The event begins at 9 a.m. at Picnic Park by Lake Peachtree and continues until noon.

Proceeds benefit the Cancer Wellness program at Piedmont Fayette Hospital, which provides free services and quality-of-life care to cancer patients.

On-site registration is $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Call (770) 461-9983 or visit www.fayettechamber.org/wellness-walk for information. Jill Howard Church for the AJC